Collin Vernay, PhD

About

Psychologist in Washington, DC. Works with Relationship Issues, Depression and Anxiety. Sees clients in person and online. Works out of network for insurance. Accepting new clients.

Areas of expertise

• Relationship Issues
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bisexual
• Coping Skills
• Family Conflict
• Grief
• Lesbian
• Life Transitions
• Peer Relationships
• Self Esteem
• Stress Management
• Trauma and PTSD

Types of therapy

• Attachment-basedLooks at early bonds with caregivers and how they shape relationships and emotions now, and works toward a greater sense of safety and connection.
• Compassion FocusedHelps people who are hard on themselves to build warmth and compassion toward themselves, as a counterweight to shame and self-criticism.
• Culturally SensitiveTakes a person's culture, identity, background and values into account, and shapes the work so it fits their life.
• Emotionally FocusedTreats emotions as a guide to change. Often used with couples, to understand patterns of conflict and rebuild a secure bond.
• ExistentialExplores life's big questions, such as meaning, freedom, choice, loneliness and death, and how they connect to a person's struggles.
• Family SystemsSees a person as part of their family as a whole, and explores roles, patterns and communication across the family rather than one person's problems alone.
• FeministConsiders how gender, power and social context affect a person's life and well-being, and aims for an equal relationship between client and therapist.
• HumanisticA family of approaches, including person-centered and Gestalt therapy, that emphasize growth, self-awareness and a person's capacity to choose.
• IntegrativeCombines more than one therapy approach, fitted to the person's needs.
• InterpersonalA structured, time-limited therapy focused on relationships and life events, such as conflict, loss or big role changes, and how they affect mood.
• MulticulturalRecognizes how culture, race, ethnicity and other identities shape experience, and makes them part of the work.
• Person-CenteredA warm, non-directive approach: the therapist listens with empathy and without judgment, and trusts the person to find their own direction.
• Positive PsychologyFocuses on well-being, strengths, gratitude and what makes life fulfilling, alongside working through difficulties.
• PsychodynamicExplores how past experiences, relationships and feelings outside awareness shape how a person thinks and acts today.
• RelationalSees relationships as central to well-being. The relationship with the therapist is used to understand and change patterns in other relationships.
• Strength-BasedFocuses on the strengths, skills and resources a person already has, and builds on them to meet challenges.
• Trauma FocusedTherapy for people affected by trauma. Puts safety and pacing first, and helps process painful memories so they have less hold on daily life.

More details

Sessions

Both in-person and online

Accepting new clients

Yes

Specialties

Relationship Issues, Depression, Anxiety, Bisexual, Body Image, Career Counseling, Coping Skills, Family Conflict, Grief, Lesbian, LGBTQ+, Life Transitions, Men's Issues, Mood Disorders, Peer Relationships, Polyamory & ENM, Self Esteem, Sex-Positive & Kink Friendly, Stress, Transgender, Trauma and PTSD, Women's Issues

Insurance

Out of Network

Fees

Individual sessions $210, couple sessions $230; sliding scale available

Payment methods

American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa

Ages

Adults

Works with

Individuals

Communities

Bisexual Allied, Gay Allied, HIV / AIDS Allied, Intersex Allied, Lesbian Allied, Non-Binary Allied, Queer Allied, Racial Justice Allied, Sex Worker Allied, Transgender Allied

Languages

English

Gender

Male

Education

University of Maryland, College Park

Years in practice

11

Education & qualifications